Early Pregnancy Care

Pregnancy is an exciting time for any woman. If you are pregnant or preparing to get pregnant, it is essential to take special care of yourself so you and your baby will be healthy. Taking care before pregnancy and during pregnancy can improve the chances of a smooth pregnancy and having a healthy baby. Pre-pregnancy care (Preconception care) is the care taken before getting pregnant.

It focuses on improving mother’s health before getting pregnant to increase the chances of having a healthy baby. The purpose of preconception care is to assess any potential risks to you and your baby and to treat any medical conditions you may have before conceiving.

Men also have an equal importance in preconception care, as they make up half of the genetic material required to develop the baby. Men also require preconception care to improve sperm health that increases the chance of conception and a healthy baby. Taking healthy diet and supplements, regular exercise and maintaining healthy weight are recommended for men as a part of pre-pregnancy care.

Pregnancy care (antenatal care) is the care that a woman gets during pregnancy. Pregnancy care should be initiated as soon as possible after pregnancy is suspected. Pregnancy care is important for keeping both the mother and baby healthy. Lack of antenatal care increases the chance of low-birth weight babies and infant death.

Visit with Dr Joseph Sgroi

Please make an appointment to see me when you are planning for pregnancy. During your appointment, I will perform physical examination and asks you about your medical history (conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure and heart diseases, etc. and medications), reproductive history, vaccination status, diet, lifestyle and other habits. Getting the right advice and following the instructions will help you to get ready for a healthy conception and baby.

Please let me know of any medical conditions that run in your family, especially genetic problems, in order to take precaution and reduce the risk of genetic defects.

I will check if you have any problem that affects the baby health such as rubella (German measles) infection, sexual transmitted diseases, and other problems such as hepatitis B and anaemia.

To ensure better health and a safe pregnancy the best things to do are:

Maintain healthy and hygienic habits

Eat a healthy, nutrient rich, well-balanced diet

Drink plenty of water

Take nutritional supplements

Folic acid is a universal supplement of vitamin B group required for healthy growth and development of a baby in the initial weeks of life. Taking folic acid reduces the birth defects such as spina bifida (spinal cord abnormality). 400-800mcg/day of folic acid recommended at least one month before pregnancy and for the first three months after getting pregnant. In some cases I may recommend higher doses eg 2.5 – 5mg.

Other vitamin/mineral supplements containing sufficient amounts of iron, zinc, and calcium are advised.

Take vaccinations for Rubella (German measles), Varicella (chicken pox) and hepatitis B at least one to six months before pregnancy.

Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight or obese increases the risk of medical complications such as elevated blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Being underweight decreases the chances of becoming pregnant, and having a low birth baby and problems during labour.

Regular exercise helps you to maintain an ideal weight and is beneficial to you and your baby’s health.

Keep your medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and epilepsy under control.

Let me know any present or past medical conditions.

Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, use of habit-forming drugs, certain medications, exposure to gases, chemicals and heavy metals. Contrary to popular belief, coffee consumption of up to 2 cups a day in pregnancy is ok.